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    Current Issue cover of Plough Quarterly Issue: Why We Work
    Plough Books Faith and Spirituality Bible Studies
    Salt and Light English Look Inside

    Salt and Light

    Living the Sermon on the Mount


    Foreword by Jürgen Moltmann

    3.89 Stars on Goodreads Read Reviews

    Seventeen challenging talks and essays on the Sermon on the Mount, by a writer who believes their demands are viable and inescapable – and must be lived out today.


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    About The Book

    Salt and Light puts hands and feet to the demands of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from the viewpoint of a writer who believes they are not only viable, but inescapable – something for us to live out today.

    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus puts aside his usual parables and speaks plainly in language anyone can understand. Yet for centuries countless scholars have dissected and analyzed these important words – and dismissed their demanding precepts as unrealistic or symbolic.

    Like Francis of Assisi and others, Arnold chose to live Jesus’ words. He found new life by embracing the self-sacrificing and nonviolent demands of the Sermon on the Mount. This collection of talks and essays vividly describes a healing, energizing power for those burdened by the concerns of daily life. Arnold calls us to live for the Sermon’s ultimate goal: the overturning of the prevailing order of injustice and building in its place a just, peaceable society motivated by love.

    Arnold grappled with the Sermon on the Mount his whole adult life. His relentless faithfulness to its demands bore practical fruit in a community movement that is still thriving today. Although Arnold was addressing a Germany in political and social ferment, his words are not bound to time and place. They direct us out of our bankruptcy to a new, revolutionary way.

    Arnold shows us that following these commandments consistently is neither an ideal nor an ordeal, but a matter of course in the community of Jesus. In the community of Jesus, life becomes clear, simple, decisive, and unequivocal. Gone are the many doubts and compromises, the many half-truths and the half-heartedness.

    View Table of Contents

    About The Author

    EberhardArnold2
    Eberhard Arnold

    Eberhard Arnold (1883–1935), a German theologian, was co-founder of the Bruderhof and the founding editor of Plough. Read More

    Acclaim

    • Arnold’s writings are a light of hope in an age which seems very dark. May they no longer remain “hidden under a bushel,” but shine out to be heeded by many.

      Jürgen Moltmann

    • Many will be made uncomfortable by Salt and Light, and it is no wonder. The Sermon on the Mount is, at a minimum, challenging and controversial. It threatens the present order of society. So does Arnold's interpretation of it.

      Senator Mark O. Hatfield

    • An admirable, excellent book needed by a world which has turned against the Great Teaching of Jesus.

      Pitirim A. Sorokin, Harvard University

    • Salt and Light has all the simple, luminous, direct vision into things that I have come to associate with Eberhard Arnold. It moves me deeply. It is the kind of book that stirs to repentance and to renewal. I am very grateful for it.

      Thomas Merton

    • These heart-searching meditations on our Lord's Mountain Manifesto are most fittingly entitled Salt and Light. Their spiritual impact is both salty and enlightening.

      Vernon Grounds, Denver Theological Seminary

    • The founder of the Bruderhof offers reflections on the Sermon on the Mount that stress God's forgiveness. Eberhard Arnold calls people to a life on complete trust in God so that their attitude toward God's kingdom, other people, material wealth, and earthly power are transformed.

      Christianity Today

    • My life has been greatly enriched by reading Salt and Light. The eternal truth of its contents at times gives me the feeling that I am reading scripture. You have done humankind a service by making this available.

      Clarence Jordan, Koinonia Farms

    • A little known but powerfully articulate saint, Arnold lived faithfully in difficult circumstances. For preachers who preach from Matthew 5–7, this book will be a benefit.

      Clergy Journal

    • Expecting everything from God and from God alone, certain that his seed and his light are in all people, Eberhard Arnold permits no compromise in witnessing to the way of nonviolence and non-possession that he sees exemplified by Jesus.

      Friends Journal

    • Arnold’s writings are a light of hope in an age which seems very dark. May they no longer remain “hidden under a bushel,” but shine out to be heeded by many.

      Jürgen Moltmann

    • Many will be made uncomfortable by Salt and Light, and it is no wonder. The Sermon on the Mount is, at a minimum, challenging and controversial. It threatens the present order of society. So does Arnold's interpretation of it.

      Senator Mark O. Hatfield

    • An admirable, excellent book needed by a world which has turned against the Great Teaching of Jesus.

      Pitirim A. Sorokin, Harvard University

    • Salt and Light has all the simple, luminous, direct vision into things that I have come to associate with Eberhard Arnold. It moves me deeply. It is the kind of book that stirs to repentance and to renewal. I am very grateful for it.

      Thomas Merton

    • These heart-searching meditations on our Lord's Mountain Manifesto are most fittingly entitled Salt and Light. Their spiritual impact is both salty and enlightening.

      Vernon Grounds, Denver Theological Seminary

    • The founder of the Bruderhof offers reflections on the Sermon on the Mount that stress God's forgiveness. Eberhard Arnold calls people to a life on complete trust in God so that their attitude toward God's kingdom, other people, material wealth, and earthly power are transformed.

      Christianity Today

    • My life has been greatly enriched by reading Salt and Light. The eternal truth of its contents at times gives me the feeling that I am reading scripture. You have done humankind a service by making this available.

      Clarence Jordan, Koinonia Farms

    • A little known but powerfully articulate saint, Arnold lived faithfully in difficult circumstances. For preachers who preach from Matthew 5–7, this book will be a benefit.

      Clergy Journal

    • Expecting everything from God and from God alone, certain that his seed and his light are in all people, Eberhard Arnold permits no compromise in witnessing to the way of nonviolence and non-possession that he sees exemplified by Jesus.

      Friends Journal

    • Arnold’s writings are a light of hope in an age which seems very dark. May they no longer remain “hidden under a bushel,” but shine out to be heeded by many.

      Jürgen Moltmann

    PrevNext

    Reader Reviews Write a Review

    • This is a book for life!
    • So true and inspiring! Gods love reaches everywhere and to live comfortably in our comfort zones without ever coming into contact with anyone... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      So true and inspiring! Gods love reaches everywhere and to live comfortably in our comfort zones without ever coming into contact with anyone different than our little "circle of friends" is so mundane and almost scary to me. Jesus was a rebel who defied social norms and Hes an awesome example to follow!! To be concerned and want to pray about the injustices, the crime, and the problems in our cities and communities is to have Gods love in us. It is truly supernatural and is nothing I or anyone else is doing...its totally Him shining! How can we live extraordinarily for Jesus today?

    • I agree with the author Eberhard Arnold that the sermon on the mount is something for us to live out today. Beginning with the prevailing order of... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      I agree with the author Eberhard Arnold that the sermon on the mount is something for us to live out today. Beginning with the prevailing order of injustice and building in its place a just, peaceable society motivated by love. This way, we shall be preparing the bride and defining our bridal identity which is a core value in the community of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we move closer to rapture.

    • The book is thriling!
    • In thinking about the properties and uses of salt, we can note that salt dumped onto any food makes it inedible, a good thing to remember when... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      In thinking about the properties and uses of salt, we can note that salt dumped onto any food makes it inedible, a good thing to remember when evangelizing to those not of the Church. I believe a good use of Christian salt is our life as witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ working in the world. "See how they love each other."

    • I think it is a pleasure discovering you on the net. Your contributions to our spiritual and intelectual upliftment has been unexplainable. It is my...
    • Thank You Thank You Thank You for making this and other such inspiring teaching available and even free, few sites are as wonderful as yours! Love...
    • Colorful contemplation of the beauty of the flower without any concern of the preparation of the soil, finding and planting the seed in the right... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      Colorful contemplation of the beauty of the flower without any concern of the preparation of the soil, finding and planting the seed in the right season and caring of the plant until it reaches the maturity. More like teenagers love not concern about the circumstances and correctness.

    • The Bruderhof and other Anabaptist communities have historically been known for their stress on LIVING the Christian life, as commanded in Scripture... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      The Bruderhof and other Anabaptist communities have historically been known for their stress on LIVING the Christian life, as commanded in Scripture, not just talking about it or writing exegetical and theological works about it. But this does not mean they are opposed to careful thinking and scholarship, so it was important that two of the twentieth century's greatest thinkers, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jürgen Moltmann, have written forewords to this book.

    • This is a book for life!
    • So true and inspiring! Gods love reaches everywhere and to live comfortably in our comfort zones without ever coming into contact with anyone... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      So true and inspiring! Gods love reaches everywhere and to live comfortably in our comfort zones without ever coming into contact with anyone different than our little "circle of friends" is so mundane and almost scary to me. Jesus was a rebel who defied social norms and Hes an awesome example to follow!! To be concerned and want to pray about the injustices, the crime, and the problems in our cities and communities is to have Gods love in us. It is truly supernatural and is nothing I or anyone else is doing...its totally Him shining! How can we live extraordinarily for Jesus today?

    • I agree with the author Eberhard Arnold that the sermon on the mount is something for us to live out today. Beginning with the prevailing order of... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      I agree with the author Eberhard Arnold that the sermon on the mount is something for us to live out today. Beginning with the prevailing order of injustice and building in its place a just, peaceable society motivated by love. This way, we shall be preparing the bride and defining our bridal identity which is a core value in the community of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we move closer to rapture.

    • The book is thriling!
    • In thinking about the properties and uses of salt, we can note that salt dumped onto any food makes it inedible, a good thing to remember when... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      In thinking about the properties and uses of salt, we can note that salt dumped onto any food makes it inedible, a good thing to remember when evangelizing to those not of the Church. I believe a good use of Christian salt is our life as witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ working in the world. "See how they love each other."

    • I think it is a pleasure discovering you on the net. Your contributions to our spiritual and intelectual upliftment has been unexplainable. It is my...
    • Thank You Thank You Thank You for making this and other such inspiring teaching available and even free, few sites are as wonderful as yours! Love...
    • Colorful contemplation of the beauty of the flower without any concern of the preparation of the soil, finding and planting the seed in the right... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      Colorful contemplation of the beauty of the flower without any concern of the preparation of the soil, finding and planting the seed in the right season and caring of the plant until it reaches the maturity. More like teenagers love not concern about the circumstances and correctness.

    • The Bruderhof and other Anabaptist communities have historically been known for their stress on LIVING the Christian life, as commanded in Scripture... Read More

      Review of Salt and Light: Living the Sermon on the Mount

      The Bruderhof and other Anabaptist communities have historically been known for their stress on LIVING the Christian life, as commanded in Scripture, not just talking about it or writing exegetical and theological works about it. But this does not mean they are opposed to careful thinking and scholarship, so it was important that two of the twentieth century's greatest thinkers, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jürgen Moltmann, have written forewords to this book.

    • This is a book for life!
    PrevNext

    Write a Review

    Table of Contents

    Foreword

    Introduction

    The Sermon on the Mount(Matthew 5-7)

    • Not a New Law Read excerpt
    • Becoming True Men and Women
    • Salt and Light
    • Happiness Read excerpt
    • The Nature of the New Justice
    • "But I Say to You…"
    • Away from Compromise and Shadow
    • Against Bloodshed and Violence
    • The Better Righteousness
    • God or Mammon
    • The Fight Against Mammon
    • Mammon and the Living God
    • The Decision
    • Resistance by Surrender
    • The Spirit of Life Overcomes
    • Present Experience, Future Kingdom
    • The Joyful News of the Kingdom

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